I'm back. The trip has made me decide to move to St. Louis. I love the city, I love the area, I love the people who live there. I had the best time hanging out with my sister, seeing my grandparents, seeing my cousins. I know if I lived there it would not be like that, but at least it would be more of that. I think if I am still sangle in 1-2 years, I will move up there. The main thing that ties me here is my job. I love my friends, I love my roommates here, but I feel like I have been here awhile. Or maybe I'm just getting complacent.

The past 2 days have been sooooooo boring. I need a life. Although last night I went to the Red Fox Lounge with friends and had a fantastic time!! I was the oldest of our foursome, but the bartender picked me out as being the youngest. She "especially" needed to card me, as she told us!!

I ran yesterday morning and I ran tonight, about 3 miles each time. It was hard and challenging, but felt good when I was finished. I think I'm going to stick with running for awhile, as staying steady with a gym has not proven good the past 6 months. Its also getting cooler, which makes for nice outdoor runs. I am tired of not working out, and it is hard to get started. But, I am going to do it. My other goal is to get back to healthy eating, little by little. By the end of the month, I just want to feel better and perhaps look a little better too!!

These are my grandparents. My grandfather grew up during the Depression on a farm in the Missouri Ozarks. My grandmother, in a small town on the Mississippi River. They met before my grandfather went to France as a medical tech during WWII. They wrote letters, first as friends then as sweet hearts, for 4 years. They were married 62 years ago, raised 3 boys into men, saw them married to 3 wonderful ladies, and have been involved in the lives of their 12 grandchildren. These two wonderful people are of the greatest generation. If I could be half as wise as my grandpa, or have a heart half as big as my grandma's, I would be 10 times the greater for it.

Here at my grandparents, I have a daily reminder that things are different and will never be the same. I have watched my grandparents age, but more significantly over the past few years. I remember taking long walks, going on field trips and picnics, riding ferries to pick up peaches and apples when I was a little girl. My grandparents would visit us twice a year, now they come only for graduations every few years. Its hard for me to watch my grandfather teeter around and try to remember how it used to be. My grandma seems to be the same, but she has changed. As much as I have wanted to be older and get to the next thing, I would love to rewind back to simpler times when people I love weren't hurting so much and change was not as signficant as it is now. Or stop time now and gather the people I love together and freeze the moment to last a little while longer.

I spent the weekend with my sister, Melissa. Friday night we enjoyed a glass of wine (a generous Bear serving), and 24. We slept in a little bit on Saturday and after enjoying coffee and breakfast, went to the Sullyard Farmer's Market. This Farmer's Market beat Winter Park's hands down. Everything was definately cheaper, and definately more selection of fruits and veggies. It was a nice and slow morning too. We bought so many fruits and veggies all for under $10!! She toured me around her favorite parts, including Busch Stadium. That afternoon we went on a long walk that took us to Forest Park and the zoo! What a nice cheap way to spend an afternoon. And we were joking about being so "green" after driving around all morning!! We ended the night with frozen custard and 4 episodes of 24. A perfect evening.

Sunday we went to church, then to lunch with cousins. Afterwards we went to the country, where we spent time with my other grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a few cousins. It was soooo nice just to sit around a table for 6 hours and talk!! No where else could I do it that long. I have several big story tellers in the family, which makes for an interesting night!

I'm back with my other grandparents now. Grandma made a nice dinner for me and Grandpa. Tomorrow I will go see my dear Aunt Georgia. I have not seen her yet, because she had a busy day on Friday, plus her daughter and grandchildren were in for the weekend. So, I did not want to overwhelm her too much. I miss old times when we would come and Aunt Georgia and Uncle Dick would come over for dinner the day after we arrived. Sadly, that will never happen again.

At the moment I'm sitting in my aunt's laboratory where she teaches chemistry. On a whim, I decided to come and see where she worked and see her lab setup. All these years she talked about work and labs, so I wanted to come see. My uncle is here also. We are her security personnel!

I am visiting my family now, and enjoying a slower time with grandparents. Tonight we will have a family pizza dinner and Melissa is coming. Then I'm spending the weekend with her as well.

My old RUF minister yearbooked himself. This was the only one that seemed to fit, 1966. I'm pretty sure my mom had this same hair once.

Aunt G!

My great Aunt Georgia has been suffering from several health problems the past few years. They have come one after the other, as soon as she beats one, something else comes up. This past week we found out her cancer is terminal and they are starting hospice care. I am incredibly sad. She and my great uncle are like grandparents to me. My aunt is my grandma's only sister and they are so close. Every family function has included my aunt and uncle. They are second grandparents!

Aunt Georgia is a one of a kind lady!! She has the dryest sense of humor, always quick with a laugh, very outgoing, kind hearted, strong, but most of all she loves Jesus!! I love the way she calls me "Honey" and she is one of 3 people who calls me Alli. After getting to my grandparents, we kids always looked forward to going over to Aunt Georgia and Uncle Dick's house. We would always go over for a good dinner, and there was a fire every Christmas. Makes for a nice evening nap by the fire!! Every Christmas I get a $5 bill in a holiday bank envelope. And every birthday until I turned 18, I got a $5 check. When I turned 18, I got a $10 because then you were considered the grown up age!

I think I could go on and on about this dear lady! It has just really hurt me to see her health decline over the past few years. I am sad that my brother and the new cousins (through marriage) will not really know the fun and goofy aunt full of energy and life. I am afraid my little brother will not remember her very much at all. I love her so much, she and my uncle have always been so supportive and generous to me and my sisters.

I am flying up to see the family and stay with my sister this Friday through the following Thursday. We are also planning a trip to go see my other grandparents, as I was unable to go see them with the family 2 months ago. It will be sad, but going is so important than staying here at the moment.

I have been reading the Twilight series. They are a very good, easy, and interesting read. The movie is coming out in December, and I'm looking forward to it. It is a little bothersome that young kids are reading these books, I don't think they are suited for young teenagers. Not that there is any sex or swearing, but the way the girl in the series is so drawn towards the vampire. And how she depends on it for her life and such. I don't know, I enjoy them, but I can also clearly draw lines.

Today I went to a lake party with PACU staff that I worked with last semester for practicum. When I did my practicum, I had no idea I would meet so many incredibly nice individuals who actually cared about me as a person! I now have a "mom" (Kym, my preceptor) here who looks out for me and keeps tabs on me. I go and see her every day after work and vent or just talk for close to an hour sometimes, depending in the busyness of PACU at the moment. There are a couple of other nurses who are just so good at what they do, not only because they love it, but they genuinely give a darn when they walk through the door. So, today I ate some good barbecue, swam in the lake, and got strung around on the tube by the boat. It was really fun! Scott, the host of the party, was intentionally trying to get me to eat it, but I did not in my 5 different go's! I did not fall off, but it was amazing going fast and hanging on for dear life! I am going to learn how to ski some coming weekend, hopefully.

Moving is done and finished!! I am glad to be through with that saga. Now if I could only get my room finished and organized. I do not have a bed, but an air mattress. This will have to work for a few months or so, which I don't mind. I don't need fancy. I have 2 small closets, and one huge one to share. But, I realize I have little clothing. I gave so many things away in my move, I'm surprised I still have what I do have! It seems like too much!! One should only have what they are able to stuff all into one car. At least while living a nomadic lifestyle!

It is amazing who God brings into your life and where he takes you. Not in a million years would I imagine I would be any where close where I would be. I had my life planned out to be back home, but it has taken its course here. I have met amazing friends, amazing people, I have a great job which I am thankful for (but not looking forward to going to on Monday...I love my weekends!!) Now if I could only trust that there will be happiness, contentment, and a man in that future picture.

I have no internet, hence the absence of posting. I do, however, have it at the hospital, hence this posting!
Work is crazy, I am ready to go home for the weekend. Thank goodness for Friday! My head is practically spinning on taking a full load of patients. My patience is going as well.
The new house is good. I miss my old roommies, but have had some good times with the new ones. We have cable now. The Olympics are on tonight, hooray!
Alright, weekend couldn't come sooner!